Hat trick for Shanks as Bay claim the points

WHITLEY BAY 4 BILLINGHAM TOWN 0

Saturday 17^th October

Adam Shanks scored a hat trick as Whitley recorded their biggest win of the season in a convincing victory over Billingham Town.

Michael Colquhoun came into the starting eleven in the only change from the side that shared eight goals with Ashington in midweek and it was the youngster who created the first chance of the game in the fourth minute, cutting in from the right before sending a low shot just wide of the far post. Two minutes later, Chris Bannon saved low down as the visitors got an attempt on target.

Whitley were posing the greater threat and Matty Weirs was the next to try his luck but his shot was off target. Continuing to pressurise the Billingham defence, Whitley took the lead after 13 minutes when a ball to the edge of the box was flicked by Shanks into the path of Mark Robinson, whose cleanly struck 18 yard shot flew beyond keeper Lewis McDonald into the corner of the net.

Five minutes later Jamie Dunn curled a shot just beyond the far post and it took determined defending to block a goal bound effort from Weirs after Colquhoun had set up the opportunity with a good cross from the right.

At the other end, disciplined defending by captain Craig McFarlane prevented a possible equaliser when Dunlavey was almost through on goal. The visitors were pressing forward but a bad challenge in midfield on Robinson earned Pritchard a yellow card.

Richard Coulson brought a save from McDonald on the half hour but Whitley doubled their lead six minutes before the interval. A great 20 yard shot by Adam Shanks from beyond the right side of the box looked to be heading inches wide but curled just inside the far post, leaving McDonald helpless.

The remainder of the half was virtually all Whitley as they bombarded the Town goal. Craig McFarlane was unlucky to see his deflected shot pushed just round the post and as a relentless tide of attacks continued, the Teessiders must have been relieved to hear the half time whistle.

Less than 60 seconds after the interval, Richard Coulson went close to extending the lead but his attempt from Lewis Orrell’s accurately placed cross was well saved by the keeper. Orrell was not far off target himself with a free kick from 25 yards out as the pattern of play continued with Whitley looking much the better side.

Just past the hour, a goalkeeping error led to Whitley’s third goal when McDonald could only punch McFarlane’s cross from the right high in the air leaving Shanks with the simplest of headers into an unguarded net.

With a three goal cushion, Whitley were now in complete control of the game. Other than a comfortable save from substitute Hinchley, Chris Bannon was largely a spectator. Goalmouth action was almost entirely at the other end and in the 66^th minute, Shanks chased down what looked a lost cause but caught the ball almost on the by-line, cut it back to Matty Weirs who fired a shot over the bar.

A Bay attack in the 77^th minute brought the fourth goal when Dunn broke forward and an attempt was blocked and the ball fell for Colquhoun whose shot was parried away from goal by McDonald. Shanks seized on the loose ball, firing a right footed shot from a narrow angle between keeper and near post to complete the perfect hat trick – goals with the left and right foot and a header.  Since returning to Hillheads in the summer, Shanks has scored nine goals and is looking fitter with each game he plays.

Billingham fans briefly thought their side had scored a consolation goal nine minutes from time but the close range header from Harry Close was ruled offside. In the remaining minutes of the game, Whitley created more chances but the four goal winning margin was sufficient to send the Bay supporters home with smiles on their faces, while Adam Shanks was unsurprisingly named man of the match for the second game in a week.

One of the most satisfying aspects of this victory, apart from the four goals, was the clean sheet that came thanks to a solid and disciplined performance which was not even marred by any cautions.

WHITLEY BAY: Bannon, McFarlane, Dunn, Orrell, Hamilton, Lowery, Colquhoun, Robinson(Wilson 80mins) Shanks(Richardson 87mins) M Weirs, Coulson(Brannen 82mins)

Substitutes not used: Taylor, Lister

Cautions: None

Referee: Kirk Freeth